Could a simple prebreathe routine make spacewalks safer?
NCT ID NCT07702539
First seen Jul 14, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether different oxygen prebreathe routines and exercise levels can lower the risk of decompression sickness during simulated spacewalks. Healthy volunteers aged 30-60 breathe pure oxygen for an hour, then exercise in a low-pressure chamber to mimic space conditions. Researchers monitor for symptoms and use ultrasound to detect gas bubbles in the body.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- oxygen prebreathe and hypobaric exposure
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to safer, more efficient prebreathe protocols for astronauts, reducing decompression sickness risk during spacewalks.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, not actual astronauts. Results may not translate to real spaceflight conditions or different populations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Jul 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Feb 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
30 to 60 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Non-smoking volunteers aged 30-60 years * Able to meet VO2 peak requirements (\>35 ml/kg/min males, \>30 ml/kg/min females) Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Lung disease, heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes * Musculoskeletal pain conditions * Requirement for regular medications such as analgesics
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Decompression sickness are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.